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Should we also go back to 8 conference games like Florida?

In the name of fairness....

Eh, that is a completely separate question.  

I see no major advantage to backloading Ohio State's schedule so severely.  Based on recent history the Buckeyes are, by far, the B1G's best chance of winning a NC and the backloaded schedule, IMHO, decreases the chances of Ohio State winning one.  That seems like a bad idea.  

The eight vs nine conference games thing doesn't even necessarily mean that UF plays an easier schedule.  If they use those four OOC games to schedule FSU AND another high-end team then their SoS will likely be higher than tOSU's anyway.  OTOH, if they suddenly dropped FSU and used their four OOC slots to schedule four FCS teams then tOSU's SoS would obviously be better but even then, that could be an advantage either way.  

I feel like both questions are pushed by the Big Ten Network and the Big Ten commish to drive TV ratings and revenue

yes, having the Buckeyes play well in the playoff and possibly the national champ game are worth big dollars, but the end of season ratings for games matching highly ranked teams is a given and more in their control.

I guess part of my objection is that it just feels "bush league" to me.  If I were the commissioner of a G5 Conference I would definitely backload the schedules for my best teams because the only way to get them ratings/attention is for them to have, at most, one loss deep into the season.  

Ie, an AAC or MAC team isn't likely to be ranked in late November unless they are ~10-1 or MAYBE 9-2.  If I schedule my third best team to play #1 and #2 as their last two games then that team can take an OOC loss and still get to 9-1 and ranked heading into the games against #1 and #2.  Said third best team will finish 9-3 and unranked but by putting their games against #1 and #2 late I get ranked v ranked matches that get some national attention.  If I instead have them play #1 early and #2 midseason then they'll never get ranked (the OOC loss will knock them down, then the early loss to #1 will keep them out then the mid-season loss to #2 will keep them permanently out).  

THIS ISN'T THE AAC or the MAC, THIS IS THE B1G!  We don't need to play these kinds of rinky-dink schedule games because we have major HELMET schools.  

Florida, while having drawn plenty of ire for not playing any OOC games outside of the state, had intelligent and/or lucky schedule-making these past 30 years. 
The "Big 3" opponents, in terms of quality, have been Tennessee, LSU, and FSU.  Recently, Tennessee has been replaced by UGA as a tough out, but let's focus on those 3 from the recent past. They were spaced out well - Tennessee in Sept, LSU in late Oct, and FSU in late Nov.



Backloading a schedule seems odd to me, and while some or much of it is in the hands of the conference, a program like OSU could steer some games here or there.  

THIS ISN'T THE AAC or the MAC, THIS IS THE B1G!  We don't need to play these kinds of rinky-dink schedule games because we have major HELMET schools. 

I agree, but apparently B1G Jim does not, or submits to the BTN wishes

not many of that caliber around, even fewer are willing to play home and home non-con series

I've always given the Gators props for this.  And ya know I dislike giving the Gators props

Yup, I love that UF and FSU play every year OOC, and I also love seeing Clemson-South Carolina and UGA-GaTech (even if CD doesn't like it ).

Times are different now though, this isn't the 40s/50s/60s (or 1890s, 1900s, 1910s, 20s, or 30s either).

We're not going to see anyone start a new annual OOC game, just not gonna happen.

it's not impossible, yet I agree with you

old Huskers still yearning for the Sooner game after all these years

Huskers and Sooners will play the home-and-home every so often, as they've currently scheduled.  Eventually the Horns and Ags will schedule an occasional home and home as well.

But in the current environment, programs simply aren't going to sign up to be locked into the same OOC opponent every single year.  It's just not the same climate in college football it was 50+ years ago.

I'm sure it wouldn't happen, but some helmet programs from the fertile recruiting states perhaps should invent an annual OOC rivalry if they are lacking one.  Something like A&M vs Miami or USC vs Texas.  It would benefit both sides.



As for other potentials ELA listed, it would elevate one program and wouldn't benefit the other, name-brand school.